Quad mount support frame

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a picture frame consisting of four separate mounting support pieces that interconnect to glass or an acrylic glass sheet to form a support system or frame element. A separate sheet of glass, acrylic glass, matting or any such backing material is used as a backing to hold the picture centered in the middle of the frame. The frame has excess acrylic, glass or backing material to enhance the picture. When acrylic or glass is used this brings out the floating picture effect being a translucent background. This unique style enables picture viewers to visually see the background wall of any color or style thru the excess glass matting. The mounting support piece and acrylic glass or glass piece being separate pieces are joined together forming one individual front piece of the picture frame. Each mounting support piece is completed with a sawtooth hanger to enable the consumer to hang the picture on the wall of their choice. The frame is in a sandwich type form with the picture, artwork, or etc. enclosed between the front and back piece making one picture frame ready to hang.

REFERENCES CITED

[0001] References Cited U.S. Patent Documents 6,370,805 B2, April 2002: Thompson  40/778 6,163,999, December 2000: Taussig  40/798 6,101,752, August 2000: Cumberland  40/778 5,799,429, September 1998: Speshyock  40/778 5,464,185, November 1995: Hensley 248/475.1 5,390,889, February 1995: Hiscock 248/488 5,255,458, October 1993: Piel  40/159 4,858,875, August 1993: Neilsen 248/488 4,479,318, October 1984: Russell  40/154 1,982,143, November 1934: R.J. Schill  40/155 1,633,859, January 1925: V.L. Harvey 1,407,177, February 1922: N.M. Stone

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to new art-like approach to how we frame our pictures, artwork and etc. Picture frames, and in particular, frames for photos are offered in a variety dimensions and make-ups. In addition to a picture frames having few decorative make-ups, a number of configurations have become known, in which the frame elements are designed to be profiled or decorated in a more or less sophisticated manner. It is not always easy to find the appropriate frame for the picture that also gives the decorative approach to meet each individuals interests. Therefore the desire to change the frame appearance and structure to show individuality is understandable.

[0003] The Quad Mount Supported Frame is a piece of artwork in itself. This frame is unlike any other for it lacks an outward surrounding border from which the picture display devices traditionally in the past have required to maintain a structural support function as well as a decorative design frames require. It consists of four mounting support components that are permanently interconnected to the front piece of acrylic glass or glass piece. A second piece of acrylic glass or glass is then used to form a sandwich type support for which the picture is horizontally and vertically centered with the excess acrylic glass on the edging for a floating appearance.

[0004] This is the first patent of its kind, however the most similar patents are U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,999, Frame Element for a Picture Frame. This invention consists of adding an element to an existing frame at the corner to give a design element. U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,805 B2 which are decorative mounting corners for photographs in an album type display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The Quad Mount Support Frame was created to alter and provide a new decorative appeal to the way we currently display out photos. This picture frame is easy to hang on any wall by the picture hangers located on the four support elements that interconnect to the main frames element. The frame offers a variety of options each individual can choose from to enhance the picture. The second piece of acrylic glass or glass being interchangeable is used to form a sandwich in where the picture is horizontally and vertically centered between the two pieces with a varied excess amount of acrylic glass, or glass surrounding the picture itself. If this appearance is used the viewer is able to use their wall as a backdrop for a unique effect. (Example—if the painted wall is red, the person viewing the picture will see the picture seemingly in a floating position and see thru to the wall behind as if the backing was red.) If a solid backing material is used it gives the bordered effect with an added design element at the corners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a top view of a frame comprising the supporting elements.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a bottom side close up view of one of the four mounting support elements, and the glass/acrylic glass.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a side view of the frame mounting support piece with glass/acrylic glass.

[0009]FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of the picture frame mounting support piece and glass/acrylic glass.

[0010]FIG. 5 is an exploded close up view of the mounting support piece element.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a frontal view of the primary glass/acrylic glass element of the frame.

[0012]FIG. 7 is a close up side view of the opening made in the acrylic/glass element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, references will now be made to the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, and specific language used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Any modifications or variations in the depicted device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein, as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates are considered to be within the spirit of the invention.

[0014] To begin the process of creating the Quad support frame we will first examine the plurality of mounting support components. This process of constructing the mounting components can be sought through in various ways; said plurality; of mounting support components without deviating from the spirit of the invention. Examples of such are industry cutting, Routing, and CNC machining to mention a few. The mounting support elements being made of, but not limited to timber, metal, plastic, or composite so long as not to deviate from the spirit of the invention.

[0015] The first part of production is to cut the wood to correct specifications, creating a groove-like ledge in the wood. This is done by first using a table saw and cutting one way a pre-specified width not to cut though the wood completely, and repeating this step on the side of the length to where the two cut add up and form a cut out ledge. (This ledge is used for the front piece of acrylic glass, or glass to lay on and interconnect to.) A miter saw is then used to cut the wooden strips down to half-squared triangles; so that when joined both ledge groove form a separate lowered square shape for the acrylic glass, or glass to lay on. This cut is made at a 45 degree angle. The two individual pieces are then pieced together to form a square. After it is determined that the size is correct for both they can be glued together, and when dried interconnected with the use of brad nail, or other such framing materials like framing staples or other such securing materials. The wooden support mounting elements may also be created using new technology from a router machine or advanced CNC precision machines; which would make the two pieces (1) and (2) shown in FIG. 1 into one piece (11), where no glueing or securing elements would be required.

[0016] The next step to the quad frame is to prepare the front acrylic glass, or glass element (7) as seen in FIG. 2. A synthetic opening is created in the acrylic glass, or glass element, preferably made using industry water jet technology that has the ability to make precise openings of various levels in acrylic glass, glass and numerous other materials. Acrylic glass, or glass is the preferred material used however various materials can be used.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 3, this drawing shows one of the plurality support mounts (11), the drawing also shows the support mount interconnected to the front piece of acrylic glass or glass (7), by means of a connector (5) preferably a small screw, though various connectors may apply. The backing material (9) being of, but not limited to acrylic glass, glass, or matting material is placed on top of the first sheet of acrylic glass, or glass piece (7) to form a type of sandwich like layer for the picture to be centered horizontally and vertically between the two pieces with an excess amount of said material surrounding the picture. The back piece of material is then secured in place by a securing element (8) as shown a point inserted with a framers point driver would be preferred; however there are various framers securing elements that may be used instead.

[0018] Obviously, numerous variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be clearly understood that the form of the present invention described above and shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings is illustrative only and is not to limit the scope of the present invention.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0019]1. Wood piece

[0020]2. Wood piece

[0021]3. Large acrylic opening

[0022]4. Small acrylic/glass opening

[0023]5. Screw

[0024]6. Sawtooth hanger

[0025]7. Primary acrylic/glass piece

[0026]8. Securing point

[0027]9. Backing material (acrylic, glass, matting)

[0028]10. Brad nails

[0029]11. Combination of 1 & 2 when completed

[0030]12. Assembled Picture Frame 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. In combination, a picture frame comprised of four similar mounting components that may or may not interconnect to an acrylic glass or glass component to form a main frame support system, having a second acrylic glass, glass or backing material to secure the picture centered both vertically and horizontally between the two elements with an excess of glass for a floating picture effect, said combination comprising: a plurality of four individual solid components that are formed into preferably, but not limited to, a square or triangular shape each having a top front surface, a first top side surface, a second top side surface, a first inward surface, and a second inward surface, a top exterior surface, a first top interior surface, second lower interior surface, said first top interior edge and said lower interior edge form a 90 degree angle with or without an excess opening for proper fitting; a front piece preferably but not limited to acrylic glass or glass material which may or may not comprise a synthetic opening; a connector element or adhesive, such as, but not limited to a screw or bonding material, said solid component and front piece of acrylic glass use to may or may not interconnect acrylic glass or glass element together; and a back piece preferably but not limited to acrylic glass, glass and or other such matting material, used as the backing of the frame to sandwich the picture vertically and horizontally centered between the two frame elements securing by means of a point driver point, staples or any other securing device; wherein said plurality of mounting components, said front piece and said back piece form said picture frame.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said top exterior surface contains at least one decorative design.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said top exterior surface contains at least one attached decorative design.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said side surfaces has at contain at least one decorative design.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of mounting components has varied shape designs as the mounting component, preferable a square or triangular shape though no limitations are set forth as to the shape of the mounting component as long as the said mounting component keeps with the spirit of the invention.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of mounting components has no limitations to the size of the component.
 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of mounting components may or may not be colored.
 8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of mounting components wherein said top interior edge and said lower interior edge create a notch.
 9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of mounting components may be placed at various placement to the said front piece, preferably but not limited to the corners.
 10. The combination of claim 1 wherein the process of production on said plurality of mounting components
 11. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of mounting components is preferably but not limited to be of timber, metal, plastic, or composite products, however various materials are eligible.
 12. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of mounting components may or may not be interconnected.
 13. The combination of claim 1 wherein said front piece is made from but not limited to acrylic glass; or that of material, or glass substance.
 14. The combination of claim 1 wherein said front piece has a decorative design element.
 15. The combination of claim 1 wherein the front piece has various colors.
 16. The combination of claim 1 wherein the front piece has various textures.
 17. The combination of claim 1 wherein said front piece has a plurality of synthetic openings for the interconnection with said plural mounting components.
 18. The combination of claim 1 wherein said front piece has a decorative edge.
 19. The combination of claim 1 wherein said back piece has a decorative design element.
 20. The combination of claim 1 wherein said back piece has various colors.
 21. The combination of claim 1 wherein said back piece has various textures.
 22. The combination of claim 1 wherein said back piece is made from but not limited to acrylic glass; or that of material, or glass substance, matting, mirror or other various materials.
 23. The combination of claim 1 wherein said back piece has a decorative edge.
 24. The combination of claim 1 wherein said quad base frame may be connected to another quad frame with the use of hinges.
 25. The combination of claim 1 wherein said back piece has a support member for standing picture displays.
 26. The combination of claim 1 wherein said back piece has a lighting system.
 27. The combination of claim 1 wherein said picture frame has a lighting system.
 28. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of mounting components have an excess of material lacking space to enable glass to fit in an angle aloted, preferably but not limited to a circular taped out hole.
 29. The combination of claim 1 wherein said mounting components have a groove-like element made on the rear side to use with but not limited to a pressure clip
 30. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of mounting components may or may not have a back plate connected for use as a securing device or for a decorative look.
 31. The combination of claim 22 wherein said glass material has a smooth edge. 